Rondo
3v1 Rondo
Keep possession 3v1 by always giving the player on the ball two options: support from the sides next to the ball, readjust on every pass, and play one touch whenever the next pass is already on.
Duration
12 min
Total drill time
Players
4
Recommended
Pitch
10 × 10 m
Setup space
Level
Beginner
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U6-U8
Any format
Setup & instructions
Mark a 10 x 10 m square with a disc on each corner. Three attackers stand on three of the four sides and one defender goes inside, with one ball. The attackers keep possession with a maximum of two touches while the defender tries to win it. The two players not on the ball must always be on the two sides next to the ball, never on the side opposite it, so every time the ball moves, the player who was not involved in the pass runs round the corner to the free side. If the defender wins it or it leaves the square, he swaps with the player who lost it. Count consecutive passes, play rounds of about 90 seconds, then progress to one touch.
Setup time: 2 min
Tactical breakdown
The 3v1 is the smallest rondo and the first one every academy teaches, and its value is in one idea: the player on the ball should always have two options. Three against one is a big enough overload for young players to succeed, so the ball stays alive long enough for that habit to form.
Played in a square, the geometry does the coaching. Three players and four sides means one side is always empty, and the question is which one. If a supporter stands on the side opposite the ball, the defender only has to stand between them to take that pass away with his body. If both supporters are on the sides next to the ball, the defender can only close one of them, and the other pass is on.
That turns movement off the ball into a rule players can check for themselves. On every pass the triangle turns, and the player who was not involved is suddenly opposite the new ball. He has to run round the corner to the free side, and he has to do it while the pass is travelling, not after it arrives. Move late and the receiver has one option, which against a committed defender means none.
The second lesson is when to play first time. When the next pass is already on, one touch keeps the defender a step behind. When it is not, a touch across the body draws the defender towards the ball, which opens the other lane. FIFA's version of this practice asks players to recognise exactly that difference.
Keep the square honest at around ten metres. Much bigger and the defender cannot pressure anything; much smaller and young players cannot control the ball in time to think.
How to run this drill
- Mark a 10 x 10 m square. A disc on each corner, one ball. Three attackers stand on three of the four sides and one defender goes inside.
- Support from the sides next to the ball. The two players off the ball stand on the two sides next to the player with it. Never the side opposite: the defender screens that lane with his body.
- Move to the free side on every pass. When the ball moves, the player who was not involved is now opposite it. He runs round the corner to the free side while the pass is still travelling.
- Receive half open. Face between the passer and the next pass so both options are in view, and play first time whenever the next pass is already on.
- Swap on every turnover. If the defender wins it or the ball leaves the square, he swaps with the player who lost it. Count consecutive passes to give the group a target.
- Progress to one touch. Once the free-side movement is automatic, allow one touch only, then shrink the square or add a fourth attacker and a second defender.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- Two options, always: supporters on the two sides next to the ball
- Never stand opposite the ball, the defender covers that lane with his body
- Ball moves, you move: the player not in the pass goes to the free side
- Move while the ball is travelling, so the receiver has two options on arrival
- Receive half open, between the passer and your next pass
- Play one touch when the next pass is on, take a touch to draw the defender when it is not
Common mistakes
- Standing on the side opposite the ball, where the defender screens the pass
- Moving only after the ball has arrived instead of while it travels
- Receiving square on and needing a second touch to turn
- A soft pass that lets the defender step in
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- One touch only
- Shrink the square to 8 x 8 m
- Add a fourth attacker on the empty side for a 4v1, then a second defender for 4v2
Regressions
- Unlimited touches
- Grow the square to 12 x 12 m
- Defender presses at walking pace until the free-side movement is automatic
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